Content Area(s): Life Sciences; Engineering, Technology & Application of Science Topic: Biomimicry leads to possible new bone glue. Short description: Researchers at the University of Utah have been able to copy and synthesize the glue inspired by the sandcastle worms, which secrete their own natural glue that they use to build underwater houses. The team of bioengineers is looking into the possibility of using the glue to repair injuries to joints and shattered facial bones.
Claim: Scientists have developed a type of glue that should be used to repair our broken bones.
Keywords: bioengineer, bone repair Difficulty of Concept: Easy
MS-ETS1 Engineering Design
MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
Common Core State Standards Connections:
ELA/Literacy
RST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations descriptions.
RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts and reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
WHST.6-8.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational text to support analysis, reflection and research.
SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions(one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Vocabulary Words: synthesize, sandcastle worm
Topic of Game Introduction Video: Making a Claim Description/Application of Game Introduction Video:
This brief movie is used to introduce the concept of making a claim before playing the scenario about biomimicry of sandcastle worm glue for human use in the Reason Racer game. A claim is generally thought to be a statement that something is true. It is a component of scientific argumentation that describes the relationship between two or more variables with a broad conclusion based on evidence. Having students analyze familiar advertising claims may be a good way to introduce the idea making a claim. Link to Game Introduction Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUvI6Z6gIAw
Full Text of Article:
There is a lot we can learn from studying how animals and plants solve problems. Sometimes, scientists and engineers can take something done in nature and copy it to solve a human problem. This is called "biomimicry." Someday soon, people with broken bones may be able to have their bones glued back together, all because scientists copied a worm from the sea.
Sandcastle worms secrete a kind of glue from their bodies, and it works underwater. They use the glue to stick together sand and shells and bones to make their homes. Because the glue works underwater and holds together bones, the scientists think it would do a good job holding together broken bones inside a person's body. A team of engineers led by Dr. Russell Stewart of the University of Utah has been able to copy this glue and make a version of it in the lab.
So far they have only tested the glue on cow bones that they bought at the grocery store. Their tests show that their new glue is even stronger than Super Glue. The researchers say that 1 square centimeter of the glue can hold a 20 kg (40 lb) sack of potatoes. Dr. Stewart says that the glue looks to be safe and non-toxic, based on studies in lab cells.
Because the glue is designed to work underwater, it sets quickly and allows blood and even medicine to get to the broken bone. This would allow the bone to heal over time. The researchers are hoping to test on animals in the next few years, and then try it out on humans within a decade.
Title: Give Me a Break! (Worm Glue)
Content Area(s): Life Sciences; Engineering, Technology & Application of ScienceTopic: Biomimicry leads to possible new bone glue.
Short description: Researchers at the University of Utah have been able to copy and synthesize the glue inspired by the sandcastle worms, which secrete their own natural glue that they use to build underwater houses. The team of bioengineers is looking into the possibility of using the glue to repair injuries to joints and shattered facial bones.
Claim: Scientists have developed a type of glue that should be used to repair our broken bones.
Keywords: bioengineer, bone repair
Difficulty of Concept: Easy
Reading Level (Pit Stop 8 Article):
Flesch Reading Ease: 71.1Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 7.8
Lexile: 1110
Next Generation Science Standards:
MS-ETS1 Engineering DesignMS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
Common Core State Standards Connections:
ELA/LiteracyRST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations descriptions.
RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts and reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
WHST.6-8.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational text to support analysis, reflection and research.
SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions(one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Vocabulary Words: synthesize, sandcastle worm
Topic of Game Introduction Video: Making a Claim
Description/Application of Game Introduction Video:
This brief movie is used to introduce the concept of making a claim before playing the scenario about biomimicry of sandcastle worm glue for human use in the Reason Racer game. A claim is generally thought to be a statement that something is true. It is a component of scientific argumentation that describes the relationship between two or more variables with a broad conclusion based on evidence. Having students analyze familiar advertising claims may be a good way to introduce the idea making a claim.
Link to Game Introduction Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUvI6Z6gIAw
Full Text of Article:
There is a lot we can learn from studying how animals and plants solve problems. Sometimes, scientists and engineers can take something done in nature and copy it to solve a human problem. This is called "biomimicry." Someday soon, people with broken bones may be able to have their bones glued back together, all because scientists copied a worm from the sea.Sandcastle worms secrete a kind of glue from their bodies, and it works underwater. They use the glue to stick together sand and shells and bones to make their homes. Because the glue works underwater and holds together bones, the scientists think it would do a good job holding together broken bones inside a person's body. A team of engineers led by Dr. Russell Stewart of the University of Utah has been able to copy this glue and make a version of it in the lab.
So far they have only tested the glue on cow bones that they bought at the grocery store. Their tests show that their new glue is even stronger than Super Glue. The researchers say that 1 square centimeter of the glue can hold a 20 kg (40 lb) sack of potatoes. Dr. Stewart says that the glue looks to be safe and non-toxic, based on studies in lab cells.
Because the glue is designed to work underwater, it sets quickly and allows blood and even medicine to get to the broken bone. This would allow the bone to heal over time. The researchers are hoping to test on animals in the next few years, and then try it out on humans within a decade.
References/Sources:
Additional Content:
Author: Kathy Carlsen